George Stephanopoulos, of ‘Good Morning America’, Got Stuck in an Elevator, Causing Delay
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/George-Stephanopoulos---elevator-072925-b59c7b6ce1b94cef875e0aab341dd4f6.jpg)
It was not the typical morning commute for George Stephanopoulos, the beloved anchor of ‘Good Morning America’. Instead of facing the chaotic rush hour traffic, Stephanopoulos found himself in a sticky situation when he got trapped inside an elevator on his way to work. The 64-year-old anchor had to be rescued by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) after being stuck for over an hour, leading to his delayed arrival at the studio. The incident was captured in an Instagram post by GMA, showing Stephanopoulos descending a ladder with the assistance of FDNY firefighters, ending his unexpected ordeal with a grin and a light-hearted comment, “Only an hour late!”
During a live broadcast, Stephanopoulos shared the details of his unexpected detour in the elevator. He explained, “I was coming into the building with the man who keeps me safe, Richie, and we got into the freight elevator, and got to the second floor — and it just stopped.” Describing the moment of being stuck between floors two and three, Stephanopoulos expressed gratitude towards the FDNY for their swift response in sending a ladder through the elevator ceiling to rescue them from the confinement of the lift.
While the delay may have been an inconvenience, Stephanopoulos made the most of his time inside the elevator. When asked by a colleague about how he passed the time during the unexpected halt, Stephanopoulos shared, “I answered a lot of emails, I read The New York Times,” adding a light-hearted giggle to the conversation. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, he managed to maintain a positive attitude throughout the ordeal, engaging in conversation with his companion and feeling assured of their safety.
The elevator mishap occurred just over a month after ‘Good Morning America’ relocated to a new studio in the Robert A. Iger building, marking a significant change after 26 years of being based in Times Square. The incident provided a light-hearted moment amidst the hustle and bustle of the morning show, showcasing Stephanopoulos’s ability to handle unexpected challenges with grace and humour. His professionalism and good spirits during the incident resonated with viewers, highlighting his resilience and composure in the face of adversity.
As Stephanopoulos resumed his duties on ‘Good Morning America’, the incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live television and the resilience required in the fast-paced world of morning news shows. Despite the unexpected delay, Stephanopoulos’s elevator adventure became a memorable moment for both him and the viewers, demonstrating that even in the most unexpected situations, a positive attitude and a sense of humour can make all the difference.